First Look: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra

The legendary racer and automotive designer Carroll Shelby passed away earlier this year, but the spirit of this automotive icon is on display during the Pebble Beach weekend with the 50th Anniversary of the Cobra and now this...a one-of-a-kind Shelby GT500 Cobra. It has been created as a special tribute to the man who did everything from winning the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1, to taking on the might of Ferrari with his incredible Ford-powered Cobra roadsters and Daytona coupes. Any car trying to live up to the Shelby name has its work cut out for it. But in this case, we think the straight-talking Texan would have definitely approved the 850-bhp V-8 stuffed into the nose of this Guardsman Blue and Wimbledon White GT500 Cobra.

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Team Effort

The group behind this special Cobra includes Ford Motor Company, Shelby American, Ford Racing and "many others," according to the official release, all whom wanted to honor the late great Shelby. Using a 662-bhp Shelby GT500 Cobra wide-body coupe as a prodigiously powerful base for the project, the extra punch of nearly 200 additional horsepower is provided by a 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger. A 6-speed manual feeds this asphalt-melting power to massive 20x13-inch rear tires that look as though came straight off a steam-roller—albeit one fitted with a gorgeous set of thin-spoke alloy wheels. The front wheels measure an equally impressive 20x10-inches.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra

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Shelby American developed a special hood for the car, along with a new rear body design. The look is American testosterone-laden aggression, and we love it from the huge front air intakes to the four chrome exhaust tips pointing out the back. The special blue-and-white paintjob pays homage to the color scheme most often associated with the original 1960s Shelby Cobras. "Even at 89 years of age, Carroll was an inspiration to us all," said Jim Farley, group vice president for Ford's sales and marketing, during the car's official presentation at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. . "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra. This car represents the very idea he had about making the 2013 Shelby GT500 into a true Cobra."

Also on hand were Ford Motor Company board member Edsel Ford II, and Shelby American president John Luft. "Carroll Shelby changed the performance world forever," said Luft. "And while he was proud of Shelby American's achievements, Carroll was far more interested in the next car we build. You will find the spirit and influence of Carroll Shelby in every future vehicle we build as found in the rear wide-body kit and hood integrated into the 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra." The Shelby Tribute Cobra will be on display throughout the Pebble Beach/Monterey weekend.